The sneak preview of choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant’s dance and music opus, Taj Express, was a snoop’s delight come true. On a faintly drizzling Sunday, B-wood personalities who don’t see eye to eye (make that contact lenses) were under the same roof — of the ritzy Bhabha auditorium at the Tata NCPA complex.
Decent quality wine and tougher spirits were served before the show which started half an hour late. Waiters in railway coolie uniforms plied streetfood canapes ranging from corn-and-carrot fusions, marinated fish, diced chicken, the works.
Bootpolishwallas gave freebie shines to those with muddied leather shoes. And the show itself was spectacular. Perhaps not the narrative line revolving around a young man’s search for love with a woman who’s in love with a caddish sort, a tourist guide.
Shades of Guide? The ups and downs in the way of – aah pyaar vaar – inspired some truly eye-dazzling dance set pieces performed by the lead players, Pulkit and Pallavi, and dozens of blingy-outfitted chorus dancers.
The first row was occupied by Yash and Pam Chopra, right next to Rani Mukherjee’s dad. Umm, they weren’t exactly chatting away non-stop. Politeness was in the air.
Rani, by the way, looked stunning with light make-up, a black dress and an uncharacteristically friendly attitude. She milled around, ensuring that all were seated in the correct rows and looked after. Vaibhavi and she are pals, good to see Rani playing hostess with the mostest. Should do it more often.
Abhishek Bachchan glowered away in a tight fitting jacket, said hello to estranged friend Rani, but hung around with Waheeda Rehman, in the intermission. Sonam Kapoor, easily the best-dressed in the crowd, was sportingly introducing newcomer Shraddha Kapoor around.
Anushka Sharma kept a distance from Ranveer Singh. No one paid him an iota of attention. He attempted to catch the eyes of Farah Khan who immediately turned 360 degrees. Wonder what makes the Band Baaja boy so irritating. He’s earned himself the tag of Mr Avoidable No. 1.
Bafflingly, Vaibhavi’s mentor (or muse?), Sanjay Leela Bhansali, was conspicuous by his absence.
And so who stole the show?
Old timer Dalip Tahil actually, who was in high spirits, and kept drubbing the musical, informing those who dared to come anyone close to him, that he will be returning with Man of La Mancha. Oh oh, we’ve been warned, haven’t we?